Photos: Drought-hit Cape Town dreads “Day Zero” when taps will run dry
Updated On Feb 23, 2018 09:47 AM IST
Cape Town, South Africa's main tourist hub moved up its "Day Zero" estimate to July 9 from June 4 due to a decline in water usage, and after the Groenland farmers association also released 10 billion litres of water from their private reservoirs into the Steenbras storage dam. Reuters photographer Mike Hutchings bring forth the crisis in dreaded but majestic landscapes.
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Updated on Feb 23, 2018 09:47 AM IST
A tough water-saving regime and the generosity of farmers have given South Africa’s main tourist hub a welcome respite from a severe drought and helped push back a dreaded “Day Zero” when Cape Town’s taps are expected to run dry. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Updated on Feb 23, 2018 09:47 AM IST
Clothes hang above a communal tap in the Khayelitsha township, near Cape Town, South Africa. Recently, the city of four million moved its estimate for “Day Zero” to July 9 from June 4 due to a decline in water usage, and after the Groenland farmers association released 10 billion litres of water from their private reservoirs into the Steenbras storage dam. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Updated on Feb 23, 2018 09:47 AM IST
Sand blows over a submerged area at Theewaterskloof dam near Cape Town. South Africa has declared a national disaster over the drought afflicted southern and western regions, including Cape Town, which means the government will spend more money and resources to deal with the crisis. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Cape Town attracts about 2 million visitors each year and wants to become more resilient as the effects of climate change are now at hand. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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A man carries a bucket used to collect water from a small roadside spring in Cape Town, South Africa. “We know that while we are going through a challenging time, we are building a world-class green economy that will be a beacon of hope for many places around,” said Tim Harris, chief executive for Wesgro, a regional trade and tourism agency. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Newlands swimming pool lies empty in South Africa. According to the South African Weather Service, two of the driest seasons ever recorded for the city since observations started in 1921 happened in the last three years: In 2015 when 549 mm (21 inches) fell and last year - the driest year on record - when annual rainfall totalled 499 mm. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Raindrops on plants in Cape Town. Despite some winter rainfall, dams are running dangerously low following the worst drought in a century in the region. The city has imposed severe water restrictions in an attempt to avert a major water crisis. Residents have cut collective consumption by more than half in the last three years. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Rainwater flows down a tunnel, off Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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A pipe used to pump water lies in the polluted Kuils river in Cape Town. At the moment, restrictions make it compulsory for residents to use no more than 50 litres per person per day, as city officials look to see out the hot summer months into winter, when the city usually gets rain. (Mike Hutchings / REUTERS)
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Updated on Feb 23, 2018 09:47 AM IST